The plight of refugees on the Greek island of Leros
Danilo Anton
Leros is a small island of 53 km2 Greek 11 kilometers from the coast of Turkey with 8,000 inhabitants. While it is  culturally and historically Greek it had been under the domain of many empires and conquerors. Romans, Crusaders, Byzantines, Turks and more recently Italiens dominated Leros until 1948 when finally passed into the hands of the Republic of Greece.

At the beginning of its integration into Greece it was intended to house political prisoners. At a later date the prison was transformed into a psychiatric hospital. However, in practice it continued to operate as a prison. The violence was the only mean of communication between the "guards '' and patients. For years, patients lived naked or dressed in blankets. When Greece became part of European Community in 1981, Leros was one of the problems that had to be faced. In 1990, the EU funded a project to close the hospital, bringing psychiatrists and health workers. The hospital was finally closed in 1997. Patients were gradually relocated in some island apartments.
When it seemed that the situation had stabilized, the issue of refugees was triggered. More than 2,000 refugees arrived in less than three weeks. Without the support of the Greek government or Europe the overburdened local authorities, based on a committed team of local volunteers were unable to avoid chaos and humanitarian crisis. But as the number of refugees increased the situation became truly critical.

Some refugee Yazidi families from Iraq, about 150 people, escaping isolation and uncertainty went to the small towns of the leading to the reaction of some locals.
The problem remains unresolved. Hundreds of refugees are still in Leros island and the people can not cope with the load imposed from outside. This time, like before, Leros was the victim of foreign responsibilities and wars. The Iraq war imposed by the US and its allies, the emergence of Islamic fundamentalists, the reluctance of Europe and Greece to take charge, were all factors that helped to perpetuate this situation of anguish and suffering.